the storyteller

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

" G U B R A "

The Storytellers' Club members are all too familiar with the opening sequence to this. The caller of the azan, his wife, and their close friendship with two prostitutes.

But the bulk of "Gubra" isn't about them at all. It will be, the way I've been constructing it in my mind, about a woman named Orked and her parents. Those who have seen "Rabun" will know who they are. And those who will see "Sepet" will know them even better.

"Gubra" is intended to examine one common phenomenon: The simple everyday fact that when we experience betrayal, it is more often than not committed unto us by people who love us; not people who hate us.

I guess in the end, "Gubra" will be about love (because, as John Cassavetes once said, "nothing else interests me"), it will be about betrayal, and in the end, the difficult but inevitable question of whether or not to forgive the people who betray us.

Oh yes, and the photograph I've posted here shows my nephew Etienne and I at my in-laws' house earlier this afternoon, just before our Chinese New Year family lunch. Why did I use it to illustrate my third film? I don't know. Firstly, I'm considering featuring him in the film. And secondly, the expression on our faces, I guess. It says "Gubra" (anxiety) to me.

Monday, February 07, 2005

The best first film ever made, at the first gathering of the best Malaysian film society ever formed.

Cheh-bah! To mark the inception of The Storytellers' Club (TSC, because many noted that SFC sounded too much like a football club or an over-priced coffee shop), we shall now attempt to concur on the day, date and time whence we shall meet, drink coffee, talk cock, and then catch the best first film ever made: Pather Panchali, the first part of the Apu Trilogy.

And the first member to propose a date and time is... (drum roll, followed by crashing of cymbals)... THE VISITOR!!!

About Me

I am optimistic and sentimental to the point of being annoying, especially to people who think that being cynical and cold is cool. Everyday, I thank Allah for everyday things like the ability to breathe, the ability to love, the ability to laugh, and the ability to eat and drink.